Carla Ward talks up merits of USA trip after punishing week

RTÉ News​

30-06-2025

Republic of Ireland boss Carla Ward talked up the positives of her side's trip to the USA despite her players feeling the impact of what she described as "dangerously hot" conditions in Cincinnati on Sunday.
The Girls in Green were missing a number of key figures for the two Stateside friendlies against the world's No 1-ranked team.
Last Thursday they wilted in the high altitude of Denver, with the hosts easing to a 4-0 win. On Sunday in Ohio, it was a similar story, as Emma Hayes' youthful outfit powered to another 4-0 victory in hgh temperatures and unforgiving humidity.
Katie McCabe, Denise O'Sullivan, Megan Campbell, Aoife Mannion, Leanne Kiernan and Heather Payne were among those who did not feature for Ireland. On Friday, Erin McLaughlin and the uncapped Dee Bradley flew out to bolster the ranks as the Irish players, most of whom are currently out of season, felt the strain.
Regardless, Ward was adamant the double-header had been worthwhile with an eye on October's Nations League promotion/relegation play-off against Belgium.
"We knew from last week that it was going to be tough," she told RTÉ Sport's Tony O'Donoghue.
"I think, overall as a camp, it's been a powerful one in terms of learning and educating in various ways.
"They've left everything out there. You can see, there's some really, how do I put it politically correct on TV... some tired bodies, let's say.
"On 22 minutes, there were a couple of players asking to come off. We couldn't make those changes.
"Then, at half-time, we unfortunately had three enforced changes physically, due to fatigue, and a couple of them were unwell at half-time.
"Even through the second half, players (were) almost begging to come off and we couldn't do anything about it.
"Look, they left everything out there and been sensational."
Ireland manager Carla Ward, while hurting after consecutive losses to the USA, still believes the side got something positive out of the camp, adding that they have "added a couple of layers" to what they are trying to do #rtesport @FAIWomen pic.twitter.com/fyFKNQSXhG
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) June 29, 2025
When pressed on the merits of playing these games in such challenging circumstances, Ward added: "I think the camp itself, we've learned an awful lot. There's been a lot to take away.
"We can't do anything about the heat but I think you know, you're here, it's been quite dangerously hot out there today. With humidity at 94, I don't think I've even felt anything like it.
"We have to take the positives and the positives from the overall camp. Our goal now is to get these girls safely home."
The USA started with a completely different XI on Sunday as Hayes dipped into her incredible reserves of talent. They peppered Ireland all afternoon, bringing on more experienced operators later in the contest to further stretch weary Irish limbs.
"Their pool of players is absolutely massive," Ward said. "They're the best in the world for a reason. They've probably got 100, 200 players that could all be selected. That's the reality.
"They selected 11 and then all of a sudden, last 20 minutes, they're bringing on people like Sam Coffey and Rose Lavelle and you're sat there scratching your head. When I saw Alyssa Thompson (coming on), I thought, 'what can you do here?'.
"Players were on their backsides. It was tough.
"We've looked at two different systems, we've looked at two different ways of playing. We've added a couple of other layers to what we want to try and do. I think it's been such a positive camp overall.
"I said to them at the end, I'm unbelivably proud of them and everyone else should be too."